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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Cooperatives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Migrant Workers Protection, is working to strengthen Red and White Village Cooperatives institutions. The ministries are moving to empower former Indonesian migrant workers to participate in managing the cooperatives.Cooperatives are referred to as means to empower migrant workers who have completed their employment contracts overseas, said Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono. He hopes that former migrant workers can become active members of the cooperative to channel their experiences and resources into society."With their international experience, former migrant workers can bring new business practices, networks, and a spirit of professionalism to the cooperatives. They can also become a driving force for village cooperatives," Ferry said in a statement on Friday, October 31, 2025.According to Ferry, migrant workers have skills and managerial abilities that can serve as mentors and accelerators for the operations of Red and White Village Cooperatives. "They can invest the money they earned while working abroad, in order to develop and benefit the local economy," Ferry said.Furthermore, Ferry said employing former migrant workers in Red and White Village Cooperatives is expected to expand the local economic base. He believes that they will not only enjoy the economic benefits but also play a role in strengthening productive business chains in the village through the cooperative.Meanwhile, Migrant Workers Protection Minister Mukhtarudin referred to this cooperation as an important step in addressing the limitations of the ministry's infrastructure. He considers the idea of making the Red and White Village Cooperatives a platform for empowerment and socialization of government programs as a highly strategic choice.Mukhtarudin mentioned that many returning migrant workers lack sufficient financial literacy, causing their earnings from working abroad to be spent without direction. Through this cooperation, he aims to ensure that they receive economic guidance and access to productive businesses for sustainability."So, we want to join the established network of the Red and White Village Cooperatives to fill the available spaces for the empowerment of former migrant workers who return to Indonesia," Mukhtarudin said.Editor’s Choice: Prabowo Launches Over 80,000 Red-and-White Cooperatives, 108 Already OperationalClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
